Council approves rezoning for 42‑unit townhome development on Barton Road

The Arlington City Council on June 10 approved rezoning of a 6.2‑acre site at 1700 East Barton Road to permit a 42‑lot townhome development.

City planning staff said the proposal would reclassify the property from community commercial and office commercial to plan development for limited residential medium density uses. "The proposed development will consist of 42 townhome lots, a central neighborhood gathering space, a children's play area, as well as more common open and activity spaces," the staff report said.

Applicant representatives told the council each unit would be about 1,900 square feet with three bedrooms and fenced backyards; 11 units at the Barton entrance would have rear‑loaded garages. The proposal includes a prohibition on short‑term rentals and contains several minor Unified Development Code deviations related to buffers. The planning and zoning commission recommended approval by a 6‑3 vote and stipulated wrought‑iron fencing adjacent to the southern open space; the applicant revised the plan to show that fencing.

Councilmember Boxall moved to approve the rezoning; Councilmember Pham seconded the motion and the council voted to adopt the ordinance.

Five letters of opposition were received before the hearing, staff said. The applicant reported a traffic study prepared with city staff concluded rezoning from commercial to residential would reduce daily vehicle trips compared with a commercial use. Construction and platting steps remain before building permits are issued.